HIV and Preconceptional Counselling

Abstract

This article provides a general discussion of a variety of different features of HIV infection and the not widely accepted concept of preconception counseling. The focus is on testing, counseling and counselors, infertility clinics, promotion of awareness, attitudes to HIV testing, education, parameters for counseling, the risk of coitus and the value of contraceptive usage in the presence of HIV, accurate and understandable information, attitudes of children, legal significance, and the effect of disaster on the family and relationships. The author is concerned with the need to provide testing facilities, and prepregnancy testing. The risk of HIV infection adds to the importance of planned pregnancy and counseling in family planning and selecting appropriate methods. Informed and responsible decisions require adequate consideration of all the issues and information currently available. Preconceptual counseling clinics tend to be small in number, but the health care professionals serving the population in need must be well educated in the knowledge of obstetrics and the behavior of HIV infection/AIDS. Infertility clinics are one potential source of contact with those at high risk of HIV. A national campaign to emphasize the need to seek advice on family planning for those at risk of HIV is necessary in countries where HIV is widespread. Preconception counseling is possible only after there is awareness of risk of HIV infection and the risks of pregnancy. Confounding policies for testing and counseling are attitudes of politicians and officials which may reflect the general welfare rather than individual welfare or public opinion and attitudes of pressure groups which may not reflect the general welfare. 2 issues are of concern: that risk by accurately assessed, and terms like safe sex avoided. The following understandable information needs to be provided; a woman's risk with an HIV positive husband, a woman's pregnancy risk, a father's risk with an HIV infected partner, the fetal risk (estimated at 30%), prognosis for an infected child, the effect on family of having an infected child, possible cures/effective treatment in the future, the effect of relationships and parents work/life, the possibility of an orphaned child or loss of a parent, adverse effects of factors on pregnancy, the relevance of any treatment, and children's welfare with harmful parent lifestyles. Counselors must be aware of the influence of race, religion, class, and the pressures in prostitution for unprotected sex. Legal issues may arise between parent and child, or in counselor negligence. Caring for a handicapped child and the nature of discrimination against those with AIDs must be approached openmindedly. An informed decision must be an available option.